Hat Day Headliner

Monday

Cherie Lucks and two friends were in London shopping for hats to wear to a British wedding when alas, there he was: a colorful milliner with talent and a sense of humor, who not only helped each find hats and learn how to properly wear them, but also hand-delivered the headpieces to their hotel. Lucks, who is co-chairing this year's Les Chapeaux dans le Jardin at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, walked away with more than just a beautiful topper-she left with a Hat Day headliner.

Adrian Phillip Howard will hop the pond to be the featured speaker at the 14th annual luncheon on May 2. "It's completely appropriate to Hat Day," says Lucks, 69 of Bexley. "He's very English. He's very effervescent. Very fun." Lucks' co-chairs-daughter Whitney, 35, and daughter-in-law Cassie, 31-have enjoyed helping plan one of the city's most popular social soirees. "It's been so much fun," Cassie says. "It's one of my favorite events of the year." It's like the city's unofficial kickoff to spring, Whitney says: "It's just a happy day." For the elder Lucks, a longtime Conservatory supporter who served on the board for years, chairing the event is an honor. "This (the Conservatory) is one of the biggest success stories in the history of Columbus," she says. "And it really is such a worthy, worthy cause."

Hat Day tickets cost $300 for individual seats and $3,500 for a table of 10. Proceeds benefit educational programs and more at the Conservatory. Tickets can be purchased by calling 614-715-8044.